Thirteenth Edition (2021)

This special publication is published once per year by American Farriers Journal. The career guide delivers advice from farriers on how to establish and operate a successful equine footcare practice.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Welcome to Your New Career; Now Let’s Get to Work

By Jeff Cota posted on July 31, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Disciplines & Breeds, Education, Equipment, Safety & Healthcare, Shoeing

Farrier’s life is the ultimate blank canvas. You can make of it what you wish. It offers you freedom and unlimited opportunities — as long as you’re willing to work for it.
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4 Keys for Overcoming Obstacles After Farrier School

This article was originally published July 31, 2020 and has been updated.

By Diego Almeida posted on July 31, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

The graduation ceremony is over. That unforgettable feeling of finishing the first horse without the instructor’s help is still fresh. The former strangers who became close friends during the long days of learning and practicing must now go their separate ways. It’s time to head into the real world of farriery. Where do you start?
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New Farriers can Improve their Careers with the Success Mindset

This article was originally published August 1, 2020 and has been updated.

By Chase Rutledge posted on July 31, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

The mindset with which you approach your journey into the world of hoof care can often be the difference between fulfillment or frustration with your chosen career. Adoption of a successful mindset provides beginning farriers with the courage to try new things, learn from experiences and approach their chosen trade without being controlled by fear of the unknown. Let’s look at these ideas and how they can help you develop a successful, fulfilling career in hoof care.
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4 Traits Needed to Succeed as a Farrier Apprentice

By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 1, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

About 20 years ago, Jessica McGrane wanted to begin a career as a farrier. She asked West Chester, Pa., farrier Dave Werkiser if she could learn the trade from him. Werkiser admits that he was at first hesitant, having had some previous helpers join his practice, but leave just when they became useful.
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Establish Mutual Expectations for a Successful Hoof-Care Work Relationship

By Tiffany Gardner CJF, APF-I and Adam Wynbrandt posted on August 1, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

Expectations are part of life and are inescapable. We have expectations for ourselves, as well as for those we share personal and working relationships.
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4 Easy Steps to Grow Your Business

By Jeff Cota posted on August 1, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

Six years ago, Wes Meyer was trimming and shoeing a lot of horses and making good money. Yet, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., farrier's practice wasn't doing as well as it should be. Meyer was chasing outstanding payments, his inventory was too high and his horses were losing shoes. He recognized the need for an improved way of doing business.
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Set Boundaries for a Successful Farrier Practice

By Lee Olsen posted on August 2, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

Farriers are self-employed small business owners. Each one of us wants to work hard and earn lots of money. That’s possible, and with a little thought, we can make just as much money with less effort.
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Products in Action, G.E. Forge

July 31, 2021

Products in Action, G.E. Forge – Getting Started in Hoof Care 2021
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Take Precautions While Shoeing Horses

By Jeff Cota posted on August 2, 2021 | Posted in Safety & Healthcare

While it’s easy to wave off safety measures as inconvenient, cutting corners just to save time could prove costly.

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5 Stages of Growth Unveils Plan for Success

By Tiffany Gardner CJF, APF-I posted on August 2, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

Being successful will mean different things to each person and the pictures of success will change as you go through different stages of life. Just as life has different stages, every small business will go through different stages of growth.
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring Clients

This article was originally published August 2, 2019 and has been updated.

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients, Education

In an ideal and unrealistic world, horse owners would be model clients with mounts that had perfect conformation and feet. Rather, it’s necessary to ask questions and gain some knowledge about that horse and client before saying “yes.”
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Your Costs Help Determine the Prices You Set

This article was originally published July 27, 2018 and has been updated.

By Jeremy McGovern posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Equipment

There are differences in how every farrier approaches his or her business. Still, the most common and effective way to manage the finances of a farrier business remains knowing what it costs to shoe a horse.
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Explaining Your Expenses Can Educate Clients About Footcare Costs

By Dave Farley CF, APF-I posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices

To build loyal customers, look for opportunities to educate your clients about footcare. This proves important when encountering clients who question the amount they pay for footcare. Rather than getting defensive, I like to provide insight. Most clients have little understanding of what it costs us to shoe their horses.

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Survey Shows Differences in What Clients Pay

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Disciplines & Breeds

The most common question farriers discuss is how much should they charge. The answer is never simple. Guidelines provided throughout this issue, especially those of Shelbyville, Ky., farrier Pat Broadus, show how complicated the formula can be.

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Protect Your Farrier Practice by Understanding Legal Issues

By Todd Santoro posted on August 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Safety & Healthcare

Society’s general understanding of the law is often shaped by what we see on television or in movies. The storylines depicted typically start with a search for the truth and end with a sense of justice served. In the real world, the law is not nearly as black and white; much more often, it’s shades of gray.
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What’s the Best Retirement Plan for You?

This article was originally published Aug. 3, 2020 and has been updated.

By Ron Perszewski posted on August 4, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

As a self-employed farrier, enrolling in an employer-sponsored retirement plan isn’t an option. You’re on your own and you want to get serious about saving for retirement by opening a dedicated account, but where do you start?
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3 Up-and-Comers Offer Advice for New Farriers

By American Farriers Journal Staff posted on August 5, 2021 | Posted in Business Practices, Education

Three up-and-coming farriers are being honored for early career success as American Farriers Journal’s 2020 Rising Shoeing Stars.
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Online Extras: Career Guide 2021

Web-exclusive content that complements articles and features from issues of American Farriers Journal.

August 1, 2021

Gain more insight on improving your farrier business
2020 Rising Shoeing Stars Videos
Nominate a Rising Shoeing Star

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Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Getting Started in Hoof Care 2021 Digital Edition

August 1, 2021

Login to view the 2021 issue of Getting Started in Hoof Care in an interactive, flipbook format.

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Getting Started in Hoof Care

Thirteenth Edition (2021)

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